Immigrate to Canada From India – Popular Pathways
Many people and families looking for better prospects and good quality of life choose to immigrate to Canada from India. Indians can apply for permanent residency through several channels in Canada thanks to its well-established immigration system. This article discusses popular pathways in 2022, which could help you understand how to immigrate to Canada in 2023.
How many Indians did immigrate to Canada in 2022?
 118,095 Indians got Canada PR in 2022 and moved for a new life. You can be in 2023. In recent years, Canada has become the most sought-after destination for permanent residents (PR). It is one of the easiest countries to obtain a PR visa, making it a great place to live and work. Several qualified people apply for PR visas each year due to the strong demand for them.
Canada’s excellent infrastructure, high standard of living, employment opportunities, and stable social climate attract immigrants from abroad. A PR status allows you to reside and work there continually. But the question is, what is the ideal PR pathway to immigrate to Canada from India to get a Permanent Resident card?
What is a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa?
A person with the legal right to live permanently is said to have permanent residency in Canada, but they are not a citizen. It is often for an indefinite amount of time. A person possessing such legal status is referred to as a permanent resident.
The PR visa also provides residents with legal protection under the Canadian Charter of Rights and permits them to work or study anywhere in the nation. A person with a PR visa can seek Canadian citizenship after staying in Canada for a predetermined amount of time.
Canada Immigration Plan for 2023–25
During the next three years, the Canadian government will grant more than 1.5 million immigrants permanent residency visas, according to the Canada Immigration Levels Plan 2023–25. More than 60% of the new immigrants will be admitted through the Express Entry system, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and other economic immigration programmes.
The IRCC is anticipated to welcome 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023. Skilled migration programs will cover over 60% of these new admissions. The next year, in 2025, when the target rises to 485,000 new arrivals, the Canadian government will welcome 500,000 new immigrants as holders of Canada PR visas.
Key Advantages of a Canada PR Holders
With permanent residency in Maple Leaf Land, you can benefit from several benefits. The principal advantages of holding permanent resident status are as follows:
- A location in Canada where one can live, study, or work.
- You can apply for Canada Passport once you’ve lived in Canada for three years and satisfied all other requirements (citizenship).
- Enjoy free access to the same social benefits, such as health care and education, that Canadian citizens do, and can sponsor qualifying relatives for permanent residency.
- The law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms both provide protection.
To immigrate to Canada from India and obtain a permanent residency visa from India, you must apply for the correct immigration stream, such as a skilled worker or an international student, and follow the relevant PR pathway.
How can I obtain a permanent resident (PR) visa for Canada?
The Canadian government has created various immigration programs to help foreign nationals to obtain a PR visa from India. You must meet the program’s eligibility requirements to apply for a PR visa because each program has different needs and eligibility. The list below shows all streams in which the Indian got a PR visa from January 2015 – December 2022.
India – Admissions of Permanent Residents by Immigration Category, January 2015 – December 2022 | |||||||||||
Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |||
 |  |  | Agri-Food Pilot | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 55 | 320 |
Atlantic Immigration Pilot Programs (AIP) | 0 | 0 | 30 | 260 | 655 | 240 | 1,455 | 1,420 | |||
Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 5,050 | 4,230 | 11,840 | 9,875 | 11,510 | 10,290 | 72,340 | 15,385 | |||
Caregiver | 110 | 130 | 500 | 335 | 335 | 140 | 160 | 395 | |||
Rural and Northern Immigration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 205 | 610 | |||
Skilled Trade | 360 | 570 | 650 | 210 | 480 | 265 | 240 | 235 | |||
Skilled Worker | 15,410 | 14,050 | 12,270 | 26,320 | 34,620 | 13,010 | 4,545 | 18,820 | |||
Total Skilled Worker Programs | 20,930 | 18,980 | 25,290 | 36,995 | 47,605 | 23,945 | 79,005 | 37,185 | |||
 | Entrepreneur | 20 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | ||
Investor | 140 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 40 | 0 | 5 | 85 | |||
Self-Employed | 25 | 45 | 20 | 60 | 50 | 35 | 10 | 80 | |||
Start-up Business | 30 | 20 | 15 | 30 | 80 | 35 | 30 | 85 | |||
Total Business Programs | 215 | 130 | 105 | 160 | 175 | 75 | 45 | 255 | |||
 | Provincial Nominee Program | 8,560 | 8,425 | 12,890 | 17,945 | 19,720 | 11,250 | 18,520 | 34,195 | ||
Total Provincial Nominee Program | 8,560 | 8,425 | 12,890 | 17,945 | 19,720 | 11,250 | 18,520 | 34,195 | |||
 | Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15,170 | 21,255 | ||
Total Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15,170 | 21,255 | |||
Total Economic Immigration | 29,700 | 27,540 | 38,285 | 55,100 | 67,500 | 35,270 | 112,740 | 92,890 | |||
 |  | Sponsored Children | 130 | 195 | 195 | 235 | 260 | 105 | 305 | 310 | |
Sponsored Extended Family Member | 20 | 15 | 30 | 25 | 25 | 10 | 30 | 30 | |||
Sponsored Parent or Grandparent | 5,540 | 4,505 | 4,885 | 5,535 | 6,520 | 2,630 | 3,185 | 11,125 | |||
Sponsored Spouse or Partner | 3,720 | 7,220 | 7,780 | 8,595 | 10,855 | 4,485 | 10,720 | 12,750 | |||
Sponsored Family | 9,410 | 11,940 | 12,890 | 14,395 | 17,660 | 7,230 | 14,245 | 24,210 | |||
Total Sponsored Family | 9,410 | 11,940 | 12,890 | 14,395 | 17,660 | 7,230 | 14,245 | 24,210 | |||
 |  | Government-Assisted Refugee | — | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | |
Privately Sponsored Refugee | — | — | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
Resettled Refugee | 5 | — | — | — | — | 0 | — | — | |||
Protected Person in Canada | 125 | 120 | 315 | 310 | 220 | 195 | 580 | 695 | |||
Resettled Refugee & Protected Person – Total | 135 | 125 | 320 | 310 | 225 | 195 | 580 | 700 | |||
All Other – Total | 95 | 105 | 100 | 180 | 205 | 175 | 370 | 290 | |||
India – Total | 39,340 | 39,710 | 51,590 | 69,985 | 85,590 | 42,870 | 127,940 | 118,095 |
How to immigrate to Canada from India?
Even though IRCC offers many immigration streams for obtaining permanent status, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the most well-liked are limited. In the table below, you can find the most popular Immigration pathways immigrate to Canada from India and get a Canada PR visa From India in 2022, along with their percentage compared to the total Canada PR visa:
Popular Immigration pathways to Canada From India in 2022 | |||
Ranking | Province/Territory | 2022 PRs | % of Total PRs |
1 | Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) | 34,195 | 28.9 |
2 | Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway | 21,255 | 18 |
3 | Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) | 18,820Â | 15.9 |
4 | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) | 15,385Â | 13 |
5 | 12,750Â | 10.8 | |
6 | 11,125Â | 9.4 | |
Total – All Streams in 2022 | 118,095 | 100 |
1- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
There are two ways if applicants want to apply for a nomination under the Express Entry stream of PNPs:Â
- The applicants could contact the province or territory to get a nomination. If they could get a nomination, they must create an Express Entry profile (or update it if they already have one) and show they have been set.Â
- The applicants create an Express Entry profile and show the provinces and territories they are interested in. They apply to their Express Entry stream. If they are nominated, a province or territory offers them a nomination; they contact them directly. They will send it to them through their account; the applicants must accept it electronically.
How to Get a PR Under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?
PNP is for those with the required education and skilled and semi-skilled experience who want to immigrate to Canada from India and live permanently. To begin with, you must meet the PNPs eligibility requirements. Additionally, you need to create an Express Entry profile and demonstrate that you meet all its minimal requirements, including being qualified for one of the immigration programs it manages. Send an electronic application to IRCC if you receive an invitation to apply (ITA).Â
2- Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway
Immigrants are moving from temporary to permanent residents in Canada in more significant numbers. Temporary residency is considered when determining eligibility for permanent residence. During the coronavirus outbreak, Canada still accepts temporary workers in priority occupations. When applying from India, those who do not instantly meet the requirements for permanent residence frequently take this path. The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and International Mobility Program (IMP) offer work permits.
How to Get a PR Under the Business Immigration Stream?
Federal and provincial/territorial governments welcome businesses that wish to immigrate to Canada through the Business Immigration Program. The program aims to make it easier for immigrants to start a business and live. Under the Business Program, businesspeople and their families can obtain Canadian citizenship by investing and founding or purchasing an existing firm in Canada. These are the requirements that they must meet. Certain Indian nationals may be eligible for a Canadian work permit, study permit, or IMP work permit (PGWP, C12 work permit, C11 work permit).
A genuine job offer will often be required to obtain a work permit. However, one significant exception to this is the IMP work permit. Statics shows that in 2022, India got 19,135 TFW (Second rank) and 149,140 IMP work permit (First rank)
How To Apply for a PR After Graduation?
Figures from Immigration Canada demonstrate that the first nation coming to Canada as international students is Indian. In 2022, 226,450 students came from India to pursue their studies. One of the reasons many Indian nationals choose to study in Canada is the ample options to work during and after their studies. After completing a Canadian credential, many permanent residency immigration opportunities become available to international graduates. Many of Canadian immigration programs also require some professional work experience.
3-Express Entry Program (FSW & CEC)
The Canadian government organizes and processes applications for skilled workers who want to immigrate to Canada from India and get Canadian permanent residence (Canada PR) status through the online system known as Express Entry. The system manages the Federal Skilled Program (FSW), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP), the primary federal economic program.Â
How to Get a PR in Canada Under the Express Entry System?
The Candidate must first meet the requirements of FSW or CEC to be eligible to place in the Express Entry pool of Candidate. They may complete an online Express Entry profile identifying their skills and qualifications. Then, the Express Entry system uses a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank the applicants against other applicants in the pool on a points-based system considering a variety of factors, including age, education, work experience (Abroad and Canadian work experience), language proficiency in English and French, family members and details on any job offer. The IRCC holds periodic draws every 2-3 weeks and invites the highest-ranking candidates to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Canadian permanent residence.
4- Sponsored Spouse or Partner
An individual who is a Canadian citizen or permanent Resident may sponsor their spouse or common-law partner for permanent residence in Canada using the Spousal Sponsorship Visa, which is a part of the Family Class Immigration. IRCCÂ must grant sponsorship approval for both the foreign national (the sponsored person) and the Canadian citizen or permanent Resident (often known as the “Sponsor”).
When a couple lives together in Canada, one is temporarily registered as a worker, student, or visitor, known as inland sponsorship. Usually, an Outland application is made when the sponsored partner resides outside Canada.
How to Get PR Under the Family Class Immigration?
The goal of the family-oriented immigration policy is to reunite citizens and legal permanent residents with their immediate relatives. The programme enables nationals to sponsor their spouses, marital partners, and children for a predetermined period. It meets their basic needs, so they only need to rely on others once they’ve moved to the new country.
5-Family class Immigration Sponsored Parent or Grandparent
Suppose you want to sponsor your Parents or Grandparents for Canadian permanent residence. In that case, the first step is to complete and submit an interest to support form on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship website. IRCC will accept the claim to sponsor forms between noon EDT on October 13 and noon EST on November 3 of any fiscal year.
The IRCC will select 10,000 sponsors who can submit a complete application each year. Sponsors will be chosen at random, like in a lottery. No preference will be given to those who offer their interest to the sponsor form on the first day. Once you submit your interest to the sponsor form, you will receive a confirmation number which you will need to keep a copy of. If you are selected to be a sponsor, you will be given 60 days to submit your complete application.
Documentation Requirement to apply for PR Visa from India
Make sure your documentation is complete if you want your PR visa application to be processed quickly and effectively. Many people who wish to immigrate to Canada from India squander money and time by mailing the incorrect paperwork and then waiting for their application to be approved. To solve this issue, Nationwide Visas has compiled a list of crucial documents that each applicant must submit for their immigration application to be processed at the right time, allowing them to immigration to Canada as soon as possible. The list of required documents depends on the streams you are applying for. The following are the most common essential documents you must provide to the IRCC to enter Canada on a PR visa:
- A Valid Passport or Travel Document
- Education Credential Assessment (ECA) – Proof of education
- The language test result (IELTS, CELPIP, PTE, TEF CANADA, TCF CANADA)
- Certificate of Nomination from Provincial Nomination Certificate
- Medical Examination Confirmation
- Digital Photographs
- Birth Certificate
- The Marriage, Divorce or Death Certificate and the Legal Separation Agreement
- The Adoption Certificate
- Police Certificates
- The Evidence of a Common-Law Union and Cohabitation
- The Proof of Relationship to a Relative in Canada
- The Letter of Job Offer from a Genuine Canadian Employer
- The Proof of Work Experience
- Job Seeker Validation Code
- Recommendation letter from former employers
- Proof of Funds in Applicant’s Name
- The Use of a Representative Form [IMM 5476]
- The Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual Form (IMM 5475)
How Arnika Visa Can Help You?
It’s important to remember that immigration laws and initiatives might change over time. For the most recent information and help throughout the procedure, it is recommended to check the official IRCC website or to obtain advice from an RCIC.
At ARNIKA VISA, we help you to immigrate to Canada from India with the most tailored strategy to achieve your immigration goals. We take care of everything from filing the forms to guiding you through supporting documents. We can assist you entirely or partially based on our different packages. We can advise you professionally regarding the required personalized supporting documents to increase the chance of your approval and, finally, submit your application to IRCC on your behalf as an authorized representative. If you want to discover how the RCIC can help you, the first step is to complete the Assessment Form (To detail your personal, educational, and employment information) available on the site.